Date: March 09, 2007 01:09 am Title: Chapter 1
Yay! My stomach literally did happy flip-flops when Pam kissed Jim for the first time. Does that make me a sad person? This was worth the wait and I really enjoyed that it wasn't all rainbows and puppies, because yeah, they have to sort out a few things. Thanks for the happy thoughts!
Author's Response: I know exactly what you're talking about (with the stomach flippies) -wow! I'm really glad you liked it! I'm glad you liked the not-so-perfect resolution, too, because I was a bit worried about how it'd be received. Thanks again for reviewing!
Date: March 08, 2007 11:09 pm Title: Chapter 5
So. dlifj;slkfdjg;dlkfgjfdlkgj is pretty much the best I can come up with to summarize what I'm feeling right now. Firstly, I want to say thank you for not making it easy, and secondly, for such a deliciously bittersweet ending. Jim and Pam work so well together in this; I feel very comfortable with them as extensions of the show. Wonderful, and thank you again for writing such a insightful piece.
Author's Response: First of all: My husband is going out of town for the whole week next week, and I've designated one night to do nothing but catch up on my fanfic reading - and your stuff is among the work that's at the top of my list. I appreciate your liking it that I didn't really resolve things here; it's a slightly different twist on the happy ending, as I mentioned in the author's notes, but I wanted this one to be less escapist and more realistic. Thanks again for the review!
Date: March 08, 2007 10:54 pm Title: Chapter 5
YES!! FINALLY someone is having them take it slow.
There's nothing that I love more than deliciously slow tension.
Does that make me sadistic? Because if it does, then where do I sign up for my whip?
Hee.
Thanks so much.
cheers.
--Lex
Author's Response: I'm glad you liked them taking it slow - I've written it both ways (uh, TWSS?), but I sort of prefer it this way when I'm trying to go for the most realistic feel, you know? And if it makes you sadistic, then I must be the whip master. :o) *hands you a whip* Thanks for the review!
Date: March 08, 2007 10:11 pm Title: Chapter 1
So this isn't over....right? I see that it says NOT completed!!! eeeek!!!!! YAY JAM!!!!! Gosh I just love your way of bringing them together. There's just something so achingly romantic about it all.
Author's Response: Nah, it's not over yet; a few people have mentioned wanting an epilogue, and there's been one rambling around in my crazed mind all day long. :o) Thanks for reviewing!
Date: March 08, 2007 09:13 pm Title: Chapter 5
*happy sigh* I was seriously holding my breath through most of this. And the line that really got me?: "Don't ever apologize for that." I think that I've probably mentioned about a dozen times before how much I love your stuff, but I'm saying it again anyway! That was exactly what I needed to read right now. Thank you!
Author's Response: You were holding your breath? Then I guess you know what it feels like for me whenever you update "You Could Have It All...." (haven't had time to read the latest update - the husband's out of town all next week, so I'm saving the good stuff for when he's gone. Wait, that came out all wrong....) Seriously, though, I'm so glad that you liked this - it's always great to hear, but doubly so when it's someone whose work I admire so much as well. :o)
10 [Report This]Date: March 08, 2007 08:33 pm Title: Chapter 5
Yes! we want an epilogue -- lots of messiness to resolve.
And I hope you take this as a compliment, but this is the most believeable conclusion to the drama of Cocktails (and the whole miserable Pam-Jam arc this season). I would expect both the passion and the respect for each other (and Karen & Roy) that you've portrayed -- a paradox of passion & restraint.
In some sense, this gives me hope that some sort of JAM resolution along these lines is inevitable. Lots of entanglements to sort out, still, but it'll all work out.
Author's Response:
Well as you know, lisahoo, for a reader to perceive the chapter as realistic is the biggest compliment I can get - because that's what I'm going for. And in this case, I was definitely going for a plausible resolution. Much as I love writing the crazy/angsty/sexy fics wherein they say it all and then do it all (*clearing throat*), IMO that's not likely what we'll see on the show. (But oh my god, if we did....)
So thanks for the feedback and the review - here's hoping TPTB make us happy!
Date: March 08, 2007 08:18 pm Title: Chapter 1
Hahaha... I'm laughing as I'm reading the reviews because you are apparently taking this response challenge quite seriously. That being said -- yea. This chapter made me SO freakin' happy. I've been angsty all night about Jim and Pam, driving in my car, thinking about things, how I just want them to be HAPPY, etc, etc and then I read this and I'm like, "Oh, yea. Happy." Especially when she wakes him up and she's kissing him and I felt like, "Yes -- GO FNB, GO!" Please, Pam. Take your man by the reins and claim him. Claim him, already. He is yours, baby. *happy sigh*
Author's Response:
Hah - I'm taking it very [/Jim] seriously, GF. Really, though, I had no idea that readers perceive it as a sort of brush-off when authors don't respond to reviews! And of course, I am inherently incapable of being succinct, so my responses are like rambling diatribes. Sigh.
I'm glad this eased your angst. (I was writing with the show on mute tonight, but when the PLoD scene happened, I turned the volume up, watched it, then sat there shaking my head in frustration. Damn them and their inability to just talk to each other!)
Thanks for the review!
Date: March 08, 2007 08:00 pm Title: Chapter 5
"It's not over." She murmured the words aloud, staring over at him, feeling almost surreal because for once - for once - she wasn't running away.
This part sent my heart right into my throat. I wondered if Jim had heard her say it. But I thought it was profound to have her say it out loud, as though she was finally accepting what she'd known all along.
He jumped when he felt someone touch him, lips pressing lightly against his own.
This part literally sent chills down my spine. Literally. So bold, so FNB. But I loved it.
In regards to whether there needs to be an epilogue... quite honestly I thought that the chapter ended sort of sad. Even though there was a promise of a future, and that the reader totally knows they would be together- the imagery of Pam watching Jim walk away to his car (when just hours earlier she'd asked him to stay out of sheer necessity) was painfully sad... even though it was a happy moment. And I did think that the line "We'll be back here soon; I promise" was very much foreshadowing a piggy-back scene.
And I loved your follow up to "Cocktails". I certainly needed it to get me through this insane 6 weeks. This story was just peppered with such romantic moments that were so beautifully written- if it were to be filmed I could imagine it with these lovely, soft, romantic hues. Congrats on another amazing job.
Author's Response:
First of all, as soon as I saw your name, I got the biggest grin on my face. Seriously - in the seventeenth century, writers didn't rely so much on publishers as they did on patrons & circles of friends who circulated their work; so there was no money in it for the writers, just the thrill of having their work distributed. And I swear, I've come to think of you as my patron. :o)
Anyway.... I'm glad that moment resonated with you -- as you know from the author's note, the song of the same title inspired the fic, and when I wrote her saying those words out loud, it just sort of...came out. But on edit (and re-edit, and re-edit, etc.), I wasn't sure that it would come off as realistic - so I'm really happy to hear that it resonated with you. (And in response to whether or not Jim heard her - as I envisioned it, he was totally asleep and completely unaware. But I'm of the opinion that fiction is fluid, and more often than not, the reader can actually shape the story or have insights that totally escape the author - and yeah, I think the notion of Jim hearing her say that and rousing just a little would've been brilliant. Damn it. :oD)
I'm really so grateful for your thoughts on the ending - that you think it merits an epilogue because it's really sad. And you know, I see now that it is a sort of sad ending - maybe needs a follow through to the resolution. So yes, I'll definitely do an epilogue. (Because I'm not cruel like some people - looking at you Greg Daniels - and I'm committed to giving the people what they want. [/Jim])
Anyway, thanks so, so much for all your thoughtful, invaluable feedback (not to mention the continued support. It really does make such a difference.
Date: March 08, 2007 07:50 pm Title: Chapter 5
You are a GODDESS. I cannot praise you enough for giving me such a steamy, beautiful chapter. I was freaking out while I was reading it! The only thing that could possibly make this fic better would be an epilogue (no matter how short!)
Author's Response:
Wow - thank you so much! (By the way, spring break - for me, anyway - is in one week, and your stuff is on the top of my list of fics to read; I'm hearing such great stuff about you!) I'm really glad that you were freaking out as you read this, because as I've mentioned in other review responses, I worried that it'd come off as kind of an anti-climax. (*cough* TWSS!) Thanks so much - and an epilogue is on its way!
Date: March 08, 2007 07:41 pm Title: Chapter 5
A hundred pranks and a thousand tears and too many days of missing each other to count.
And if that isn't them in a nutshell. Thank you dear girl7. Lovely work as always.
Author's Response:
A review from you is always sort of like an honor, because you're so prolific and yet your stuff is so consistently good.
Anyhoo, I'm glad you liked that line; I fiddled with it, because I worried that the "thousand tears" was too schmaltzy. I'm really glad to hear that it worked - thanks so much for taking the time to review, hugs!
10 [Report This]Date: March 08, 2007 07:38 pm Title: Chapter 5
"
He slowly turned to face her then, his eyes scanning her face - taking her in from eyes to nose to lips, where his gaze lingered long enough for her pulse to quicken a bit. "'Yes.'" Agh...this was a wonderful slow build to the finish. I love how your stories always take a such a long, fulfilling arc to the climax (TWSS!) instead of rushing things.
Author's Response:
God, I am such a ten year-old boy; I'm sitting here snickering over the TWSS of your review. :o) That said, thanks so much for taking the time to review - and to point out the specific lines you liked; it's always so great to know what people specifically liked.
Thanks again!
Date: March 08, 2007 07:35 pm Title: Chapter 5
That was really good, I like the bittersweet ending. Made me cry. :)
Also, Victoria's Secret sweats are the best. :P
Author's Response:
Really? It really made you cry? That's so awesome! (Not that I wish you sorrow, you understand, but that I write with the intent to move...the whole purging pity and fear, Aristotilean thing...I'll shut up now. :oD)
Thank you so much for reviewing - and yes, aren't those sweats just incredible? What, are they pre-washed to be extra soft or something? (Clearly, I'm far too enamored with my sweats.)
Thanks again!
Date: March 08, 2007 07:31 pm Title: Chapter 5
I adore this entire story. Every chapter gets better. Seriously.
Author's Response: Wow, thanks so much, tv_dream! I've been sitting on this last chapter for a few days, because whenever something that I write garners particularly good feedback and/or interest, I feel this incredible....I don't know, responsibility to try not to disappoint. And I was a bit concerned that this last chapter would come off as a letdown. So thank you for the review - makes me feel better!
Date: March 08, 2007 07:28 pm Title: Chapter 5
Wow, so close to the happy ending. I'm anxious to read the epilogue to see just how long Pam is going to have to wait for Jim to break up with Karen. Great story, I'm sorry to see it end.
Author's Response:
You're so great, kaystar - such a consistent reviewer; we writers so appreciate it, believe me! (In fact, I appreciate it so much that I'll probably write that short epilogue just because you expressed an interest in it - seriously.)
I have sort of a final image in mind for the epilogue, but it'll be probably more along the lines of a drabble (well, the kind of drabble that I'd do - which means it'd be three times the length of the usual drabble - heh).
Thanks again - so much - for reviewing!
Date: March 08, 2007 07:26 pm Title: Chapter 5
This is so nice. I like how Jim apologized for not giving Pam time before. They each seem to be understanding what the other has gone through here. Yay!
Author's Response:
Ah, thank you so much, Too Late Kev (love your name, BTW) -- that's actually one of the angles I was going for. I kept hearing in my head the line, "I forgive you." Sad that I can't remember if it made it into the final version (and can't go check, lest I lose my response here), but it's funny that yout mentioned it. These two need not just to clear the air, but to really have the catharsis of acknowledging what they've both gone through. I see on all the message boards so many people siding with either Jim or Pam, but as I see it, they've both suffered immeasurably as a result of nothing more than simple human folly, you know? So sad. [/Pam]
Thanks for the review!
Date: March 08, 2007 07:12 pm Title: Chapter 5
Oh I really liked this ending, the taking time. I think that is a very realistic scenerio.
And you are updating ONLY?!? I love it when you get itches. (That sounded so much better in my head)
Author's Response:
Thank you so much - I was worried that it might disappoint. (I mean, c'mon...my usual ending involves smut, smut, and more smut.) But yeah, in this case, I really think it'd be a slower resolution. And aside from that, this entire fic was motivated by that hug - the sweetness in it, the way it captures that innocence that they have, while at the same time conveying the depth of all they feel. (See how easy it is to get me to ramble?)
Your itches comment made me laugh right out loud. That said, I'm relieved to hear that someone's still interested in "Only." I feel really, really guilty for abandoning that fic when a lot of people expressed an interest in it - like I let you guys down! But the thing is, I'm extremely wary of forcing it; if I'm not feeling it, I think it comes through.
So...yeah, I'm feeling it again, so hopefully I can finish that one.
Thanks, as always, for reviewing - you're so great and consistent about it!
Date: March 08, 2007 07:08 pm Title: Chapter 5
she blurted in a small voice, "I really wanna kiss you again."
That sounds so much like Pam. :)
Author's Response: Really? God, I'm so glad that you said that, NEJ (not just because I respect your work so much - though that's a factor...). I was thinking that in that moment, she'd surely be dying to kiss him again. Then I was thinking that maybe in the spirit of FNB/DCMP, she'd just come right out and say it. But I had my concerns that it'd be OOC - so thanks for the vote of confidence. And the review, by the way. :o)
Date: March 06, 2007 09:47 pm Title: Chapter 4
You've painted such a beautiful tableau! I can see them curled up on the couch together, sleeping in each other's comfort and the image in my mind just feels so warm, if that makes sense. yay! more please. :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much - and yes, what you said made total sense. I'd love to see the image myself. :o) Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: March 06, 2007 09:33 pm Title: Chapter 4
I think what beetfarm is trying to say is that s/he will literally be waiting right here (if you need anything at Staples, that is...).
Author's Response: ...Another review that cracked me up. (You people are so damned funny; I love it!) I'm working on it, and I promise to post it ASAP! Thanks for reviewing -
10 [Report This]Date: March 06, 2007 03:55 pm Title: Chapter 4
Okay lady. You owe us a Jim/Roy confrontation and some Jim/Pam smut. Go ahead and write. I'll wait.
Author's Response: Your review just made me laugh and laugh. Oh my god. Ahem. I'll get right on that, beetfarm. ;o) (And a preview: There'll definitely be steam...) Thanks, as usual, for reviewing - and thanks for the email, too!
10 [Report This]Date: March 06, 2007 01:13 pm Title: Chapter 1
God I love this story.....more PLEASE :)
Author's Response: I'm glad! Thanks for reviewing - and more's on its way soon!
Date: March 06, 2007 06:15 am Title: Chapter 4
Wow. I have enjoyed this story so much. You capture Jim and Pam so well in your writing, it' so easy to picture this actually happening. Now if I could only get you employed by NBC....
Author's Response: Hah, Clare - if I were employed by NBC, Jim and Pam would cut the nonsense and just be together, damn it. I would also tell G. Daniels to lay off the "Moonlighting" references. :o) Glad you're enjoying this - and thanks for reviewing!
Date: March 06, 2007 02:21 am Title: Chapter 4
You are a tease. I think I may have cursed you, though, by saying you would probably exceed that two-three-chapter limit you'd set yourself. Darn.
Loved this; them so tired they're falling asleep, but there's something in them making them want to stay up - imagining them with droopy eyes and faint smiles is amazing. And I love Pam opening up, slightly, because God he needs to know so many things.
You realise I literally can't wait for the next chapter, so. Jumping a little now. In my seat.
Author's Response: Yes, moofoot: I am a big old honking tease. I totally cop to it. :o) And yes, he does need to know so many things, doesn't he? I wonder if we'll ever see her just lay it on the line... Thanks for the review!
Date: March 05, 2007 08:02 pm Title: Chapter 4
I'm enjoying this and happy to read as many chapters as you find it takes. I love when Jim is trying to come up with the scenario under which he'd bust up a bar, and the whole "manly" section.
And hurray, a decision to end it with Karen!
Author's Response: Yeah, I couldn't help but think as I was watching that scene, Say what you will about Jim Halpert; he would never do that. I love it that he's not got that oafish, hyper-macho streak that Roy has. Thanks so much for the review!
Date: March 05, 2007 08:02 pm Title: Chapter 4
Hey girl7,
Just wanted to apologize for not reviewing this sooner, as I've been following this story anxiously from the start. I swear, no one writes the longing and tension between these two better than you. I've been rereading "Away From the Cameras" as well, so I know what I'm saying. Everything you write is gold in my book. Very authentic and completely believable dialogue.
Allright, enough praise. Get back to work on the next chapter, girlfriend. What happens when they wake up??
Author's Response: Wow, thanks for such a thoughtful review; I'm really glad you like my stuff! And yes ma'am, I will get back to work and post ASAP. Thanks again for reviewing!